Greek survey shows US seen as top threat, Russia as preferred ally

A new pan-European survey reveals that Greek public opinion diverges sharply from the rest of the EU, viewing the United States as the greatest threat to Europe while simultaneously showing the highest preference for Russia as a reliable ally. According to the Polling Europe survey, 31% of Greeks rank the US as the most significant threat, compared to just 29% for Russia, a stark contrast to the EU-wide average where 45% identify Russia as the main threat. This southern European trend is echoed in Spain and Italy, while northern countries like Hungary, the Netherlands, and Poland overwhelmingly view Russia as the primary danger. Experts attribute this Greek stance to lingering post-dictatorship anti-Americanism, cultural and religious ties with Russia, and the persistent perception of Turkey as the main national security threat, despite Greece's strengthened strategic partnership with the US. Analysts note that Greek Russophilia is largely stereotypical, rooted in a "culture of the underdog," and that the country lacks a unified geopolitical identity.